Congress cant afford $268,000 for Noble County

Published: December 15, 2003 7:00 PM

CALDWELL Noble County commissioners Charlie Cowgill, Walt McKee and Danny Harmon said Monday the county is continuing efforts to secure funding for waterline expansion projects along Route 285 between Caldwell and Sarahsville and Route 146 between Sarahsville and Pleasant City.

Strickland included a $268,000 provision for Noble County waterline projects in House Bill 2574, the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

Strickland said funding was removed from the bill while it was in conference by congressmen Dave Hobson and Ralph Regula because he (Strickland) refused to support a 51-percent cut in funding to the Appalachian Regional Commission.

"In my judgment, this is a vindictive action. It is quite sad to deprive this county of $268,000. I feel badly about it. I think the blame goes to Mr. Hobson and Mr. Regula from Ohio," Strickland said. "They pulled funding for this Noble County project which is really unfair. Noble County needs this money. It is a good project supported strongly by the commissioners. The money was in the bill and it was pulled out; $285,000 is a lot of money for a small county. It is a real shame. It is vindictive politics. It shouldn't happen."

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Strickland said he will continue working with commissioners in their search for funding resources. Strickland said he will continue working with commissioners in their search for funding resources.

Commissioners said their immediate plan is to combine the Route 285 water project with the Route 146 project, which will be the Noble Water Authority's next project.

Commissioners McKee, Harmon and Cowgill said the combined project will bring water to 225 customers, 80 percent of the potential customers in the area.

Aerial photography and engineering for the projects are complete, commissioners noted.

"We're ready to go now, we just need the money," Harmon said.

Commissioners said they will seek funds through Buckeye Hills Regional Development District, Appalachian Regional Commission, Community Development Block Grant funding and other federal government grants.